Media.Knet.Ca

George Ferreira, a University of Guelph doctoral candidate successfully defended his thesis, "PARTICIPATORY VIDEO FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES" on Monday, Sept 18, 2006. Doctor George is now available to take on new and exciting challenges that will hopefully further his research and production work.

The two hour session was video conferenced with professors, students, friends, co-workers and special guests (Don Snowden's family members) at the the University of Guelph, University of Toronto and Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Sioux Lookout office linked together for this special event. The video conferenced session is archived for online viewing. Click here to watch George's defense of his doctoral thesis.

George began working with Keewaytinook Okimakanak back in the spring and summer of 2003, becoming part of the Kuhkenah Network's Smart Communities evaluation team (Don Richardson, Helen Aitkin and Ricardo Ramirez). He travelled to each of the KO First Nations providing video production training and capturing how the KO First Nations were utilizing ICTs. His footage has been used in the production of a number of online video presentations about K-Net and our partners. Cal Kenny, K-Net's Multi-media Producer and others worked with George over these past few years to develop some great video material that is available on the K-Net website.

The production of the "Turning the Corner" video in the winter of 2005, provided George with the opportunity to meet with a number of government officials to further his research on the use of video as a means of influencing public policies and programs. Click here to see the KNEWS story about the "Turning the Corner" video presentation in Ottawa.

Click here to see some pictures of George's thesis defense session.

Brian Walmark, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute Coordinator, was part of George's advisory team and thesis review committee along with Doctors Ricardo Ramirez, Al Lauzon and Isobel Heathcote at the University of Guelph. Dr. Susan O'Donnell from the National Research Council in New Brunswick was part of George's thesis review committee.

From George's thesis abstract (the link to the entire thesis will be added once it is finalized) ...

This research is based on the Fogo Process which used film to bridge communication between a group of remote Newfoundland fishing communities and government policy makers and politicians in the late 1960’s.  The research expands the scope of the Fogo Process by integrating principles from participatory video, a development strategy used to build local capacity around socio-economic issues, participatory action research and advances in video technology.

This thesis is an investigation of the role of participatory video as a tool to influence government policy making. The research is set within the context of a group of five remote Aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario, Canada. These communities, collectively know as Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), were part of a federal pilot program to encourage innovative broadband infrastructure development across the country.  These communities represent a rare research environment because prior to the introduction of broadband services, they were minimally serviced in terms of telecommunications, with one telephone available for all the communities needs.

The research was initially made possible because of the need for program evaluation data. Video was used to gather testimonial stories in support of KO’s Smart Program evaluation report. Video was chosen because it was felt by the evaluation team and KO leadership that Industry Canada, the primary funding agency, could make a more informed assessment if the data was contextualized through the provision of real life accounts and experiences with broadband. Very few Canadians have ever visited communities such as these and the impact that broadband was having on health care, education and community development required a communication mechanism beyond conventional evaluation approaches.

Local leadership quickly realized the potential of video to link their needs with policy makers located thousands of kilometers away. Research continued into the development and dissemination of locally produced videos in the service of policy needs. During the course of the initial video productions, I provided training workshops in the communities thereby creating a critical mass of people who could produce their own video media and, in turn, teach others.

After the collaborative production of twenty two videos, and numerous others produced independently by former trainees, the research culminated in the production of Turning the Corner. This was a 17 minute video produced in cooperation with the Privy Council of Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and KO leadership. The purpose of the video was to relay the message that bottom-up planning and funding strategies were essential to the success of broadband expansion across Canada’s Northern Aboriginal communities. This message was based on the lessons and experience of the KO communities where broadband had transformed community life from telehealth applications and internet assisted education to overcoming isolation and community development. The video made real the need for local planning and initiative to be brought into the planning process for broadband infrastructure through a series of screenings to senior policy makers in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. 

http://healthyontario.com provides Ontarians with a world-leading web destination for trusted health information, services and advice for healthier living. HealthyOntario.com annually receives over 2 million visits and is increasing as more people feel empowered to manage their health, discover their options, and connect to services and people that can help them on their path to wellness.

HealthyOntario.com provides quick and easy access to health information. The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion created HealthyOntario.com, which launched in October 2002, as way to demonstrate the ministry's commitment to providing trusted health information to help the people of Ontario to live healthier lives.

This is from a media release from Ontario's Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson ....

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/09/15/c6514.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

Ontarians can now access information on nutrition and healthy eating through a new, province-wide online service called EatRight Ontario, part of the existing, highly-acclaimed website, http://HealthyOntario.com. EatRight Ontario includes an online resource which will allow people to ask specific nutrition related questions and receive feedback.

"Access to reliable nutrition information is key to promoting good health," said Minister Watson. "In addition to programs such as the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program, which has a strong educational component, we are also developing additional information resources for Ontarians who are seeking to improve their health and quality of life through healthy, nutritious eating."

"This pilot project supports our local agri-food industry by promoting the consumption of fresh, high quality Ontario produce," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "It also gives schoolchildren the opportunity to choose healthier snacks."

"Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with better health. Research indicates that it's important to develop healthy eating habits early in life," said Dianne Oickle, Chair, Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health. According to the recent Canadian Community Health Survey, the 59 per cent of Canadian children and youth aged 2 to 17 who reported consuming fruit and vegetables less than five times a day were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than those who ate fruit and vegetables more frequently."

The Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program is one of the new programs that has come out of Ontario's Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living, launched by the government in June. The Action Plan responds to key findings in the Chief Medical Officer of Health's report entitled Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives, which called for a broad, province-wide effort across sectors and communities to combat obesity. The government's $10 million action plan offers new programs and strategies, and builds on existing ones to support healthy eating and active living in Ontario.

G8 Program Registration is Now Open
 
The G8 Supplementary Courses Program ("G8 Program") was created to help First Nation students prepare for the demands of high school. This program provides First Nation grade 8 classrooms with online courses that highlight key skills and knowledge in the areas of Science, Math and English Literacy as outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

All courses are free and run for about 2 months. It is important to stress that these courses are supplementary in nature. While a number of grade 8 curriculum expectations are covered throughout this program, these courses are not meant to act as a substitute to the regular classroom instruction. 

The first course (English Literacy) will run from Oct 8, 2006 to Jan 26, 2007. Students are required to be online for at least 3 hours per week (anytime). Registration is now open. 
 
The goals of the G8 Program are as follows:

• Promote academic skills and knowledge in the core subjects of Science, Math and English Literacy.
• Promote an understanding the high school system (ex. What is a credit?  What is the difference between elective and compulsory courses? How are different courses connected to different career paths? Etc.)
• Promote pride and awareness in First Nation communities, issues and people
• Promote computer literacy (file management, word processing, Internet research, graphics editing).
• Promote communication between students and teachers in remote and rural First Nation schools.
• Provide teachers with practical examples of how computers and the Internet can be used to enrich the learning of their students.

The courses are delivered via a secure online platform that was adapted to showcase First Nations communities across Ontario.  Students and teachers can use their online profile to exchange messages, chat and share pictures.  Students are asked to log in three times per week (the local teacher determines the actual day and hour). During this time, students review lessons and complete assignments.  The flexibility of the G8 Program allows teachers to make the program fit their local schedule. The course content is geared explicitly for Aboriginal students. Lessons often use subjects, places and situations that promote or reflect First Nations topics and environments. To find out more about the G8 Program, please visit www.g8.firstnationschools.ca.

FINAL ROUND VOTING HAS BEGUN

VOTE NOW!
Until 11:59 PM CDT, October 13th, 2006

Click here to see the APCMA NOMINEES

The APC Music Awards (http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com) is the only event where you, the fans, have the opportunity to choose which artist will be honoured in each category. Be a part of Canadian Aboriginal music history - sign up today to cast your vote. Online voting, world wide, begsn September 13, 2006.

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards is the first awards show of its kind. It provides an opportunity to showcase Aboriginal music to the rest of the world and to expose Aboriginal recording artists to a national fan base, music industry, and media.

This inaugural event will serve to give Aboriginal artists increased profile, and bring the artists, industry and fans closer together. A four-year plan is in place for Manito Ahbee and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.

The Awards show will take place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB on Friday Nov 3, 2006 starting at 7:00 PM (click here for online ticket purchases). Manitoba Lotteries is the Presenting Sponsor in the inaugural year, with a financial commitment towards the festival and awards show.

Click here to learn more about the 109 music artists profiled on the site (listen to clips of their music)

From http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com./story.php?id=254733

National Chief appalled by conditions at Whitedog school

By Mike Aiken - Miner and News - September 15, 2006

National Chief Phil Fontaine blasted the federal government for its inaction Thursday during a visit to Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) First Nation.

With up to 20 students using the front room of a teacher’s residence for a classroom, delays at Wabaseemoong School are shameful, Fontaine said.

“It’s a terrible situation. I’m absolutely appalled,” he said, during a tour of the facility.

Fontaine was looking around at the unfinished floor and makeshift table, which doubled for desks in the temporary setting.

“The students must be simply outstanding to be where they are and the government should be ashamed, simply ashamed,” he said.

Overcrowding at the 34 year-old building has caused up to 60 teenagers to turn their backs on their education, said vice-principal Gaye McDonald.

“They say ‘We’re not going to get the attention we need.’ So they don’t come back,” she said.

Draft designs and proposals have been flying back and forth for years between band council and the federal government. At one point, the community thought they had approval for a plan to have construction completed on the project by 2007.

However, the latest word from Indian and Northern Affairs suggests they may not even start construction on the $18-million building until next year.

“We don’t need another study to figure out what needs to be done,” said principal Orvil Traverse, who presented a list of defects to the national chief.

Teachers have already lost their staff room and prep time.

Shops for technical trades and home economics have also been taken over, and the warped floorboards in the gym leave the future of intramural sports in doubt.

Flooding started last Christmas, after the heating system failed and the pipes burst. Parts for the furnace have to be machined, because they’re so old, and administrators are always afraid of more damage due to freezing during the winter months.

The crumbling wall has been braced by wooden trusses, which make elementary classrooms look more like construction sites.

Maintenance staff have also reported sparks coming from the electrical panel, due to heaving as the foundation shifts and settles on its clay base.

Student council president Mauricio Diaz admitted the conditions are a distraction. Due to overcrowding, not all students have access to seats or desks.

Donations of books to the library remain in boxes, because there isn’t enough room to put them on shelves. The resource centre has also been remodelled into a classroom.

“All of these issues which I’ve discussed are seriously affecting our learning every single day,” said Diaz, during his speech for the national chief.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Arnold Gardner joined Fontaine on his trip to Whitedog, and they both pledged to take the students’ message to Ottawa where they hoped to convince the Minister of Indian Affairs changes are urgently needed.

The chairman of Abinoojii Ojibway Child and Family Services, Isaac Mandamin, added the community had another 200 children in care, and they would have trouble fitting into the school if they were able to return to their First Nation.

School staff note 70 per cent of their 300 students are under the age of 11, and current conditions don’t allow them to pursue plans for adult education courses.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Community Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer

The Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute established by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) offers post-secondary education and training programs.  We offer choice, accessibility, flexibility, opportunities and support services for our students.  Still in it early stages, OSHKI is an innovative, independent institution that currently offers accredited courses in business, social services, and early childhood education.  New programs are also in the works.

We are looking for a highly, energetic and dynamic individual for the Community Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer position.  This is an exciting opportunity to help NAN members and other learners to increase their educational growth and successes.  The successful candidate will liaise with individuals, educators and leaders of the NAN communities and organizations and will actively promote OSHKI’s education and training programs to achieve or exceed minimum enrollment numbers for our programs.  Responsibilities also include: 

• Promptly contacting new learners referred by community agencies, and making timely responses to enquiries from prospective students
• Provide counseling and information services to prospective students regarding career and educational options and choices to ensure students are recruited into programs appropriate to their interests and needs.
• Liaise with colleagues at OSHKI and with partner institutions to clarify program goals, expectations and requirements in order to assist interested individuals in making informed decisions regarding entry into programs.
• Communicate course and program requirements, application processes, and funding options and eligibility criteria to prospective students
• Work with students, community-based agencies and partners to facilitate student entry into programs, by scheduling required testing and arranging for local invigilators.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Possess a diploma in Business Administration, Social Services or related program;
• One to three years of Marketing, placement, career clarification or guidance experience;
• Experience in one or more of:  student recruitment; administration of enrolment, registration or application processes; adult education or training;
• Excellent verbal communication and active listening skills;
• Presentation and public speaking skills;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with First Nation communities and organizations.
• Ability to travel to the First Nations;  both remote and road access;
• Fluency in either Oji-Cree or Cree would be an asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and a resume, with three references, to:
Executive Director
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute
106 Centennial Square, 3rd Floor
Thunder Bay, ON  P7E 1H3
Fax:  (807) 622-1818
Email:  info@oshki.ca

Closing date: Friday, September 22, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

While we appreciate all applications for this position, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Leonor Slavsky (leonorslavsky@yahoo.com.ar) is working with the National Institute of Anthropology (National Culture Secretariat) in Argentina.  She is also working with an IDRC-ICA support community project to develop connectivity services in the Indigenous communities across Argentina. The project web site can be seen at www.lofdigital.org.ar.

She is in Ottawa doing research on the Canadian cultural policies towards indigenous peoples. She is also networking with potential partners for developing broadband connectivity solutions for the rural and remote communities in her country. Luis Barnola, Senior Program Specialist at the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas/IDRC (http://icamericas.net) introduced Leonor to the work K-Net is doing. The 2003 ICA funded publication, "Harnessing ICTs: A Canadian First Nations experience - K-Net Program", detailing the K-Net story are available online at http://www.icamericas.net/Cases_Reports/K-Net/KNET-Final%20light%20ENG.pdf (it is also available in Spanish).

Leonor is spending a month in Ottawa learning about the cultural policies towards indigenous peoples on a grant from the Canadian Government. Working with Industry Canada's First Nation SchoolNet team, Leonor was able to connect via video conference with the K-Net team on Sioux Lookout on Thursday, Sept 14.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept 12 and 13), I travelled over to Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations to meet with local officials to identify strategies to develop local broadband connectivity solutions.

Grassy Narrows First Nation is working with North One Communications (http://northone.ca) to develop their community connections to the internet. Robert Williamson, Project Manager is overseeing the development of this local resource for Grassy Narrows. A local wireless network is now operational with both businesses and homes being connected to it by a local team of technicians trained by Richard Lajeunesse (Richard5205@northone.ca). Richard is the owner of North One and is a Grassy Narrows band member.

Industry Canada's FedNor's Telecommunication program is funding K-Net to support First Nations across northern Ontario to develop local community broadband solutions. One investment of these funds was to fund North One and the Crescive network to install two radios on Bell towers that would connect Grassy Narrows to the Kuhkenah Network. This construction work was successfully completed over this past spring and summer, connecting the community to a broadband network that supports video conferencing and high speed internet access.

The K-Net visit provided everyone the opportunity to learn about how the connections are working and how Grassy Narrows can begin working to develop local economic initiatives using these connections. Trevor Ashopenace is working at the local school under Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program. He is now working with Richard's and K-Net's team to get the video conferencing equipment and connections working at the school.

A meeting with the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation Chief and Council was an opportunity to introduce the concept for bringing a Bell Canada T1 connection into their community. An interest in working with Richard's team at North One and arranging a visit to Grassy Narrows to learn about their connectivity development work was expressed. Glen Cameron, Public Works Manager, is leading this work on behalf of the council.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net team is working with Matawa First Nations Management in the construction of local community broadband networks in four Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities.

Constance Lake, Marten Falls, Pikangikum and Sandy Lake First Nations will be seeing local cable systems being installed throughout their communities over the next few months.

Meetings last week with K-Net and Matawa staff clarified roles and responsibilities as the Matawa team leads this community broadband network construction project.

Each First Nation is contributing support for the development of their community network. Matawa was successful in obtaining over $900,000 from Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development. Keewaytinook Okamakanak's K-Net Services received funding from Industry Canada's FedNor program to help support the purchase of the network equipment and support the construction work.

The initial meeting with Thunder Bay Telephone on Friday, Sept 8, resulted in many new exciting opportunities for the various projects that Keewaytinook Okimakanak and their First Nation partners are undertaking. Angela Crozier of NAN, Rob Wesley of Matawa, Franz Seibel of KORI, Brian Beaton and Adi Linden of K-Net, along with Carl Seibel of FedNor were able to meet with several key Thunder Bay Telephone officials (including John Lyon from Superior Wireless who is now on contract with T.Bay Tel for the transition period) to discuss the various initiatives that K-Net and our partners are developing.

Thunder Bay Telephone officially took over ownership of all Superior Wireless assets on September 1, 2006.

The Superior Wireless team was working over the past few years with the K-Net team to develop broadband connectivity solutions in a number of First Nations and locsl organizations. All indications from our initial meeting with Thunder Bay Telephone, is that everything will "business as usual" with our new partner.

All the staff and resources from Superior Wireless are now moved into the Thunder Bay Telephone resulting in many more options and efficiencies in how best to design and deliver the planned connections. Some of the planned work will now be able to migrate to existing fibre connections.

Existing connections will be maintained and developed in partnership with Thunder Bay Telephone, the new owners of Superior Wireless. All new connections will be developed in partnership with Thunder Bay Telephone and their partners. One example of this is the new fibre interconnection at the water tower in Sioux Lookout. This new connection that was installed last week will now support a redundant route for K-Net’s existing 100Mb connection back to Thunder Bay.

The K-Net team is looking forward to working with Thunder Bay Telephone to develop these opportunities for improved broadband connectivity in the First Nations.